My Friday Five

A blog site that I truly adore always posts their Friday Five, five things they are lovin' this week. I thought I would join in this week...

A blog site that I truly adore always posts their Friday Five, five things they are lovin' this week. I thought I would join in this week...

01 // Royal by Lorde

I can't get this song out of my head. Warning: the video is weird.

02 // Squash

I'm loving all things squash right now. Today I made THIS acorn squash and it's pretty amazing.

03 // The Meek Boutique

Terri is a personal friend here in Sparta, but I am loving her new designs. Make sure to go check them out frequently.

04 // Apples

I just got a shipment from Bulk Natural Foods and I'm still debating on what to do with all of them. Pinterest helps.

05 // Spending Time with My Family

It's always my favorite.

Carson, Mom, Camden, and I went kayaking.

Camping with Vince and Debbie

We had so much fun this last week. A long time ago (like 6+ months) long-time family friends of ours told us they would be in the area and we made reservations to camp with them. At first we were going to a Army Corp of Engineers campground, but with the government closed, so are those campgrounds. Debbie witnessed Tyler growing up in the lumber yard in Florida. She was and still is a second mom to him. Debbie and Vince are retired and are now traveling around the US in their 5th Wheel. It's amazing to hear about all their adventures. 

We stayed at a place that wasn't too far away from where we live. The first day we ran over to Fall Creek Falls State Park. We love going there to see the scenery. I've grown up with that park.

Yep. This is what happens when Mom tries to take a family picture. Warren is behind Tyler and Ben.

Not too much water coming over this time of year. 

Friday, we went over the mountain and back up again to Wooden's Apple House. I've heard how good these apples are, and boy, are they wonderful! We picked up a couple and some baked goods for the road.

There's always one of the bunch that doesn't want their picture taken!

On the way back we stopped at a gourd place. They had THOUSANDS of gourds. The gourds were so cool! The boys have whale gourds in the picture below.

And on Saturday, we came into town to go to Hickory Valley's Breakfast. Man, they do it up right. YUM! The boys, of course, got to climb on the fire trucks.

Then we ventured in town for the awe- inspiring yard sales. Wow. There were TONS of yard sales all along the main drag. Carson wanted his picture at the square.

There's always time for the campground playground!

 And at the campground there were cows and a donkey we tried to fed. They were a little skittish, but so cool to look at up close. 

Homeschool

This year we have taken the plunge (or lost our minds) and started homeschooling our boys. No, I really love it so far and the boys are doing great. About a year ago, God laid it on my heart that He wanted us to homeschool. After a year of praying and discussing it, we have finally started- well, at the beginning of August. Before I forget I need to write down what we are using!

Ben: 4th Grade-
Handwriting- Handwriting Without Tears, Printing Power
Language- 1st Language Lessons, Level 4
Grammar- The Complete Writer; Writing With Ease 2
Spelling- Spelling Workout D (for now, gonna have to change this one); Logic of English
Math- Saxon 4/5
History- Story of the World, Ancient Times; and Biblioplan- Family Guide
Latin- Prima Latina (haven't started yet)
Science- Apologia, Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures on the Fifth Day

Warren: 2nd Grade-
Handwriting- Handwriting Without Tears, Cursive Handwriting
Language- 1st Language Lessons, Level 2
Grammar- The Complete Writer, Writing With Ease 1
Spelling- Spelling Workout B
Math- Saxon 2
History- Story of the World, Ancient Times; and Biblioplan- Family Guide
Science- Apologia, Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures on the Fifth Day

Not to mention they read 20 minutes a day. They are learning so much that I never thought was possible. It's not perfect, but it's where we are supposed to be!

Favorite Pictures from Each Month 2012

In doing this post, I went back over all my pictures with my "real" camera in the last year. I really tried to pick pictures that I took. It was a hard task because I took so many pictures with my iphone. I think I might make one of my resolutions to be to use my SLR more. But for everyday normal messy life the iphone comes in really handy.

January:

February:

March:

April:

May:

June:

July:

August:

September:

October:

November:

December: 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

We pray that you had a blessed Christmas.

The Brandes Family

Minted.com

Ooooohhhh, I'm always on the hunt for a good deal. I'm loving all the free photobooks I've found lately.

But right now, Minted.com has a GREAT deal for Christmas cards.

Once you sign up for an account, you get $25 credit to spend however you want. Then you can enter HOL25SHIP as a promo code when you are checking out and get another $25 credit AND free ground shipping. The only catch is that the last one has to be used on Christmas/Holiday Cards. AND if you go through ebates.com first you can get 5% back on whatever money you do end up paying out of pocket. This offer is good through Sunday only, and then its gone.

Pretty good deal on high quality, great looking Christmas Cards!

Vote!

It's your right as an American citizen.

Many people have served and died for your right and opportunity to vote.

Doesn't matter how you feel about the election. 

Just get out there and make your voice heard.

I'm so glad my husband and I early voted! Today, my grandmother is in the hospital and we are unable to stand in line- but I would if I hadn't already voted. If you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for her and our family, we truly appreciate all of them.